Democratic Republic of the Congo / Mounting evidence of a build-up along key roads by rebels

Democratic Republic of the Congo / Mounting evidence of a build-up along key roads by rebels

KINSHASA, Dem. Rep. of Congo (DRC) December 24, 2008/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Daily press briefing by the offices of the spokesperson for the UN secretary-general

And the spokesperson for the general assembly president

In a statement just released a short while ago, the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) says there’s mounting evidence of a build-up along key roads by Laurent Nkunda’s CNDP [Congrès national pour la défense du people] rebels. Peacekeeping bases in Masisi territory have been placed on high alert, and peacekeepers are now conducting additional patrols in strategic areas of the region. MONUC, the Mission, is also concerned about a reported clash today between CNDP and ethnic Mai Mai forces. It calls on all armed groups to cease any and all build-up and movement of troops likely to inflame the situation and cause new displacement of civilians. The Mission also urges all parties to refrain from threats or the use of force.

Meanwhile, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), says it remains concerned about the safety of hundreds of families in villages around the town of Dungu in the Orientale Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Among these civilians are many elderly and some disabled people, who are unable to make their way to safety as a massive military operation against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) is under way in the region, according to UNHCR. The refugee agency reports that a convoy carrying 23 tons of aid has reached Dungu after an 11-day trip across the Democratic Republic. The aid delivery included jerry cans, kitchen sets and plastic sheeting, among other items that UNHCR and UNICEF plan to hand out to some 9,000 people.

SOURCE : United Nations – Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General